Skinning birds from the back(Ducks)

I just skinned out a mallard drake from the back. He is supposed to be mounted in a landing position, but when i pulled the skin off there is a major crease down the center of the breast. Will this still be showing after i mount the bird, and if it does is there any way to get rid of it.

Thanks,
Gary

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crease

Thats because there Is a bare strip along the breast were no feathers
I feel you still could of skinned the bird out from the breast
sewed It up or pinned what ever and It still would of looked alright
for same pose...That would of been a good experience for you no doubt
I personally would never Incorperate that method you mentioned

NOPE

Thats totaly WRONG!Many ways to skin the cat,dog,fish and yes bird..
IF you properly seperate as you cut and if you Properly set and dry the bird..There is now way to tell in any cut IF the taxidermist is good enough... . I am now starting to see several high end taxidermist doing this cut and I am sure they would tell ya no if ya ask...Theres even a cut cross the tail end on a bird legg to legg.... Ive seen as many BAD vent jobs..It's all up to ability...
Its like the french cut or tube skinning a fish,picking the cut on a mammal its all do able its just that some can't or wont try that blocks development .... I totaly preffer dorsal cut on birds..Done all 3 ways and its just my personal preff....BUT it can be done its all to the ability of the individuall doing the work..I would suggest being able to do all and any cut ya never know what your working on and if yo'll need the talent ..

Wally, I KNEW that would be a problem

I'd always suspected it of bird people but you finally admitted you've been checking out butt holes. There's so MANY of them who do birds anyway. Strange people.

Now for my two cents, I'd NEVER, EVER, under any circumstance cut the dorsal cut on any duck or goose. The skin is just too thin and fragile for me. I've been using the tube cut (leg to leg) for years and that's about as talented as I ever intend on getting. There's no pose that can't be done with the tube or ventral cut and exploring other fancy ways just to prove they can be done keep me from making any money on real taxidermy work. LOL

welll?

I must need more coffe...I just figure you should explore any and all option's and most of all never say I cant'...
George you be da one who did the legg to leg Ok'.Just the same anycut as long as cuts/alingment is right its just stitch'n and preen'n to finish...I guess I felt that way when I did the first cut on my first replacement head mount..Should I try this is what I thought,Hey someone else did it,so can I .If intrested drive and time arent a issue. Desired end result takes over.Looking at each new mount knowing you can and will do better..
The NW School of Taxidermy"" How many of ya have that on your wall? I got mine in 71.Took lots of barn birds,,gophers,fox,bass,gill's,and a jackalope to get mine!hehehe
I push myself to try new options..I repsect the guys who looked out the other window and developed this Industry.
Only my .02's worth......LOL

I have used a dorsal cut

It mostly depends on what the mount is going to be doing.
I always like it for large raptors and long-legged waders. For waterfowl it usually isn't worth the bother.
In some cases, though, such as when I have a duck supported on one claw, then the leg and cast foot will be permanently sculpted to the form before adding the skin. In these cases I like to use a modified dorsal cut which is really the old leg to leg cut, but instead going over the back.
No matter where the incision is it should be invisible when sewed up, so the only reason to have it in different areas is to provide easy access for the attachment of the limbs. Birds are usually mounted with flexible limbs, so the incision area is a matter of convenience rather than necessity.
If bird forms came complete with limbs and were rigid, then other incisions would be needed.

LOL@ George ... of COURSE bird taxidermists have to check the butt hole! (Only we usually call it the vent.) Check the NTA scoresheet. Birds are almost always done as lifesized mounts, after all.

I'm no bird expert but

I always use the cut that is easiest to hide in the pose. If I do a bird with the wings at rest close to the body, I make my cut on the body under one of the wings. If I have a breast that will show, I do a dorsal and if the pose hides the breast altogether I do a belly cut. They all work, you just got to think ahead and be flexible.

Thanks for all the input.

Hey everyone,
This bird came out great. No crease no blimish on breast at all. I guess you just have to get your hands dirty, and try new things. This bird came out so good I ask the client if I can show it in the Western Regional in Albuquerque in June.

Thanks Again for all the input

Gary